Browse Items (91 total)

EnglishA laced-case binding in limp parchment with no support of boards; this was likely a temporary binding. The “laces “ that are visible through the cover are actually slips or supports that are sewn into the spine to support the textblock. The…

EnglishPrinted by Sebastian Gryphius in 1547, this item is an example demonstrating a binding repair in which the owner took special care to retain as many elements of the original binding as possible. FrançaisImprimé par Sebastian Gryphus en 1547,…

English This printed ex-libris, attached to the “von Ende” family of Altjessnitz, Germany, appears on the interior pastedown of this book. It serves to remind us that the ex-libris was also considered an art form during certain eras for bibliophiles,…

EnglishEmbossed on the cover of a fine example of mottled calf, we see as of yet unidentified, elaborate coat of arms, embossed in gold. For those who love enigmas: do not hesitate to inform us of your findings! FrançaisIl s’agit encore d’un exemple…

EnglishClassical texts, authors and classical languages formed the majority of texts printed in the early days of printing. While this item is not as old as its counterparts in the Collection, it does display, very richly, the elaborate Greek fonts…

EnglishThis item shows the printer’s device of Jean Petit (14.. - 1533). Petit was a very prolific printer, and was said to have printed one-tenth of all books printed in Paris from approximately 1493-1530, that is, about 1000 titles. Petit also…

EnglishThis book has lost its binding over time, but its current state allows for a wonderful illustration of the elaborate and painstaking process that went into sewing of a text block before an external cover was ap-plied. Interestingly, this…

EnglishThe title page displays the printer’s device of Sébastian Nivelle (1523-1603). Nivelle was active in Paris from the mid-1500s to 1603, and was at least approaching 80 years of age at the time of his passing, making him the literal “old man”…

EnglishA typical binding for the geographic region and timeframe whence it was printed, it is likely that this binding was executed with little time lag from the day it left the printer’s studio. Parchment (pigskin) has been laid over wooden boards.…

EnglishVery similar in style to the neighbouring 1544 Virgil, this binding is also of pigskin seating for metal clasps, these now lost, visible. The covers have been over wooden boards, with hardware blind-tooled with various botanical borders, with…